Ikot Abasi
About
Ikot Abasi is a town and local government area located in the south west corner of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It is one of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, bounded by Oruk Anam to the north, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and the Imo River to the west, which separates it from Rivers State. The Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi is located in the town. The primary language spoken is Ibibio.
History
Because of its location at the break in the mangrove swamp and rain forest of the eastern Niger River delta, Ikot Abasi was a collecting point for slaves in the 19th century. The town was popular as the site of a boat yard and a British consulate, and it became prominent after the women's uprising against colonial rulers in 1929, in which women protesting British rule were killed by colonial forces. Until the 1970s, the area was part of then South Eastern State (later Cross River). A boundary adjustment split the ancient Opobo Kingdom, with the mainland part, renamed Ikot Abasi, passing to the Ibibio people within Cross River and now lying in present-day Akwa Ibom State.
Source: Wikipedia: Ikot-Abasi
Key Facts
State
Akwa Ibom State
Headquarters
Ikot Abasi
Chairman
Hon Ime Williamson Essien
Area
280.8 km²
Population
169,200